Description
This diurnal moth is gray metallic green wings and flies in but one brood a year. Eggs are laid in small clusters on the underside of a sorrel leaf. The young caterpillars gnaw first passages in the leaf but as they grow older they will eat the entire leaf.

Size
Wingspan between 25 mm and 30 mm.

Habitat
The butterfly can occur in the not too dry place and preferes to sandy places and forest edges. Hibernates as a caterpillar in low vegetation.

Food plants
Several species such as sorrel Rumex acetosa (common sorrel) and Rumex acetosella (sheep's sorrel).

Flight season
From April to late July and sometimes a late specimen in August.

Distribution
Large parts of North West Europe, but nowhere common.